Wales were humiliated in Cardiff as they crashed to a shock Six Nations defeat against perennial basement battlers Italy.
It was the Azzurri’s first win in 37 matches in the competition. Wales were dismal, attempting to open up before they had subdued the visitors up front and failing to set in piece a decent platform.
They also blew a number of chances. But fair play to the opposition, who deserved their success. Italian joy was unconfined as they finished 22-21 winners.
Read more: Dan Biggar tells several team-mates they probably won't play for Wales again
MARK ORDERS hands out the Wales player ratings:
Johnny McNicholl 4
Back to see if he could set off a few fireworks in Wales’ attacking game, but it was his aerial skills which stood out early on, with the Scarlet catching a series of high kicks. It went downhill from there. Blew an opportunity with pass that died on Rees-Zammit and took a heavy bang before break. There were other mistakes.
Louis Rees-Zammit 4
A buzz of anticipation every time he had the ball, but Rees-Zammit wouldn’t have thanked McNicholl for tlow, fading pass with the line beckoning. He did have a couple of dangerous runs but needs to improve his defence and game-awareness. It hasn’t been his tournament.
Owen Watkin 7
Had received praise from attack coach Stephen Jones beforehand, and did his best to merit it with a well-taken try finished with a sharp step. Also, some good defensive interventions, notably when sweeping up to clear danger before half-time. Far from the worst.
Willis Halaholo 4
Wales were looking to the Cardiff player to create from 12, but Italy policed him well in the first 40, restricting his time and space. Couldn’t hold onto Dan Biggar pass with the Italy defence hopelessly stretched. No impact and subbed on 47 minutes.
Josh Adams 6
Sunshine and showers.
Adams was Involved in the move that led to Watkin’s try and came up with a try-saving moment when he chased back to haul down Monty Ioane with a wonderful tackle. Also scored a well-taken try, but indiscipline at end and missed tackle as Italy came through in dying moments.
Dan Biggar 5
His hundredth Wales cap, but it’s an understatement to say the script didn’t play out as he would have wanted. An imprecise pass in a good position summed up Welsh inaccuracy in the first 25 minutes. Biggar came up with decent work in build-up to first try but was unable to truly make mark.
Gareth Davies 4
First start for Wales in 12 months, he flicked out a lot of passes and took one high ball but dropped another and failed to up the tempo.
What are your Wales player ratings v Italy?
Gareth Thomas 5
He’s improved Wales’ carrying in the front row and there was some useful yardage made from Thomas here. Also put in a few solid tackles. But his effort was steady rather than career-enhancing.
Dewi Lake 7
In a Wales run-on team for the first time, underlining the progress he has made, but didn’t start well with a lineout misfire and then a messed-up tap penalty. It did get better, with a good counter-ruck, powerful running and a well-taken try that showcased Lake’s strength. Two possession steals crowned a fine performance.
Dillon Lewis 3
Manned the defensive front line in the opening stages, putting in five tackles before some team-mates had put in one, but he couldn’t get his carrying game going and Welsh scrum did hit problems before break. Didn’t appear for the second half.
Adam Beard 5
He’s gone from outcast to becoming one of Pivac’s most trusted picks, starting every Test Wales have played this season. Steadied Welsh lineout after an early loss and contributed some nice passes but Wales couldn’t impose themselves at forward and the big man went down with the ship.
Alun Wyn Jones 5
The 150 cap man, boldly going where no rugby player has gone before. Jones started quietly but upped his effort with runs, offloads and tackles. Powerless to stop the Italian success, though.
Seb Davies 4
Wales needed a blindside to smash Italian ball-carriers back behind the gain-line and clear them out uncompromisingly at the breakdown. Davies did well to pull down Padovani and caught the eye with his carrying, but he wasn’t the man for this particular assignment. Taken off on 50 minutes.
Josh Navidi 7
Achieved an early possession steal and followed it up with two more in the second half. There were also a lot of good tackles. He wasn’t to blame for this setback, despite Italy holding sway at breakdown.
Taulupe Faletau 7
Impeccable in defence and upped his carrying game in the second half. Worked hard, covered and grafted but not even he could tip the scales this time.
Replacements
Bradley Roberts N/A
Not on long enough to mark.
Wyn Jones 7
Gave Wales directness, achieved turnover but was disallowed a try.
Leon Brown 6
Forced a scrum penalty and drove strongly.
Will Rowlands 6
Lineout steal, hard yards, he will stay in Wales picture.
Ross Moriarty 6
Good chase to reclaim box-kick, added ballast.
Kieran Hardy 4
Left for dead by Capuozzo.
Callum Sheedy 3
Nothing to write home about..
Nick Tompkins 4
Busy but couldn’t come up with winning card.
